Villarreal's La Liga match at home to Celta Vigo was halted shortly before the final whistle and delayed by about half an hour after what appeared to be a tear gas canister was thrown on to the pitch on Saturday.

Celta were leading 1-0 at the Madrigal and there were about three minutes left when the canister, which local media said contained tear gas, landed near the visitors' goal and began spewing out a thick cloud of white smoke.

Both sets of players, some of whom were clearly suffering from the effects of the gas, retreated inside the stadium and fans quickly left the ground, with many covering their mouths and noses and in obvious distress.

VIDEO:Scroll down to see Villarreal's match with Celta Vigo suspended due to tear gas

In the smoke: Villarreal's Jonathan Pereira runs to kick a tear gas canister during the match with Celta Vigo at El Madrigal

Unsavoury scenes: Villarreal's Tomas Pina shields his mouth after a tear gas canister was thrown on to the pitch during the match with Celta Vigo

Covering up: Stewards and security at the Villarreal match against Celta Vigo try to stop breathing in the tear gas

Celta goalkeeper Yoel Rodriguez was seen running away
from the smoke rubbing his eyes.

The visitors were leading 1-0 when the game was interrupted after Fabian Orellana's score in the

The game was restarted and Celta's Manuel Agudo scored off a free kick in the 90th minute to give the visitors a 2-0 victory.

Villarreal president Fernando Roig said police are looking for the person who threw the bomb. He said the device had released tear gas and was similar to ones used by police.

'Villarreal condemns and laments what has happened,' Roig said. 'This type of act in no way represents our fan base, which is calm and controlled. I am convinced that this was done by someone who came from outside to hurt Villarreal.'

Celta coach and former Barcelona player Luis Enrique said he had never experienced anything like it in a game before.

'Everyone thought it was a flare, but when we saw (goalkeeper) Yoel (Rodriguez's) eyes, which were bright red, we immediately realized that it was something more dangerous,' he said. 'This should never have happened.'

The loss left Villarreal in fifth place, four points behind the final Champions League spot.

Take cover: Tomas Pina reacts after a tear gas canister is thrown at Villarreal

Painful: Celta goalkeeper Yoel Rodríguez rubs his eyes after a canister of tear gas was thrown on to the pitch

Making an exit: Fans inside El Madrigal try to make their way out after a canister of tear was thrown on to the pitch

Taking their leave: Fans leave El Madrigal after a canister of tear gas was thrown on to the pitch

Effects: A Villarreal fan heads for the exit after the cannister was set off